Many of the Phaius I show in this blog are plants that I take care of myself. With Phaius indochinensis it is quite different. It is not available in Europe and therefore I could not show pictures of this amazing Phaius that I took myself.
Some days ago I was lucky to make contact with Dr. Diep Dinh Quang. He works at the Institute of Applied Technology, Thu Dau Mot University, Vietnam and has an eye for the beauty of the genus Phaius. Previously Dr. Diep Dinh Quang worked at the Tay Nguyen University and Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City.
Phaius indochinensis belongs to the section Limatodes. These Phaius have elongated stems. According to literature Phaius indochinensis grows up to 70cm and prefers shady humid places close to water and intermediate temperatures. It does not like higher temperaturs.
Phaius indochinensis flowers from September to November
The flowers of Phaius indochinensis are striking. The mid-lobe of the lip shows many long white hairs. The side-lobes of the lip spread and face foward, making the flower quite showy.
It is not known which insects pollinate Phaius indochinensis. For other Phaius it was reported that carpenter bees transfer the pollen from one flower to the other. Phaius indochinensis is distributed in Indo-China and is found in Vietnam and eastern Thailand.
Phaius indochinensis was first described in 1995 by Seidenfaden and Ormerod (Opera Bot. 124: 17). Incredible that such a beauty remained undescribed for such a long time. In Vietnam Phaius indochinensis can be found in Lam Dong at an altitude of about 1000 meter.
Dr. Diep Dinh Quang took all pictures in situ. I would like to say thank you for his kindness.
Macodes Jewel orchids and Phaius by Carlise and Eike Jauch 